Before you’re allowed to take the NY permit test, you must meet these requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have a parent-or-guardian signed drivers permit application form, if under age 17.
• Have your original Social Security Card.
• Have two forms of ID from the DMV’s ID list, such as an official birth certificate and passport. If you don’t, have your parents fill out the DMV’s affidavit stating who you are.
• Pass the vision exam.

Once you have supplied the DMV with this documentation, you will be allowed to give the written exam a try. At this point, you do not need to have taken drivers ed.

Taking a practice permit test before you attempt the real learners permit test is recommended. New York takes its questions from Parts Two and Three of the Drivers Manual. However, they don’t give you a practice test. You might want to purchase an inexpensive practice permit test of around 50 questions to make sure you know the material. These tests are available from online retailers and cover the same information as the actual test; they cost under $20 and can save you time.

If you decide to take drivers ed before you apply for your drivers permit, there’s good news. You won’t have to take the written test. You’ll just need to give the DMV form MV-285, which is proof that you took an approved drivers ed course through your school or college. If you’re over age 18 and need to get a permit because you only have a permit from another state, then you’ll need to take something called a “prelicensing” course, which gets you form MV-278.

Online drivers ed training is something many people now undertake, instead of going to someplace and sitting in a classroom for hours. Its advantages are many: the online courses are usually a lot cheaper, you can complete the class as quickly or as slowly as you like, and you can do it in your pajamas. Make sure the class you choose is also approved by the state.

Once you get your permit, you can start your 50 hours of road practice. Remember to double check with your insurance company to make sure you have adequate coverage. You (or your parents) might need additional coverage now that there’s a new driver on the books, even if you only have a learners permit.